TRACK REVIEW: Blink-182 – Bored To Death

How much of what makes blink-182 is still there? Just like the transhumanism question, many wonder if the band can still be what many fans fell in love with after the departure of founding member Tom DeLonge and subsequent addition of Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba.

Now that we’ve got our first taste of the new and improved(?) blink-182 on Bored To Death, set to appear on the band’s seventh LP California on July 1st, can all qualms be laid to rest?

The answer is a shaky but still firm ‘yes’. Opening up with what can only be described as the lovechild of Feeling This flanged drums and Adam’s Song broody bass, the track’s verses reek of the atmosphere that the band’s eponymously titled album wore on its sleeves.

The chorus is where things get a bit tremulous and the achilles heel of Bored To Death is on full show: the lyrics. While blink have always had a love of the slightly cheesy, “life is too short to last long” comes off as something Chad Kroeger would come up with and be full of pride with. Maybe it’s because of previous subject matter that Hoppus has managed to convey well but there’s a sense of disappointment when it comes to what the lyrics are trying to do here though thankfully this doesn’t derail the enjoyment in store here.

While it’s still early days, the addition of Matt Skiba seems to be working well as the band haven’t lost what makes them so enjoyable to listen to. While it may not be the best music they’ve released since their reunion, that title goes to the Dog’s Eating Dogs EP, fans should be exhilarated for California.